Knock-down furniture



March 25, 1958 A. P. BARKULES KNOCK-DOWN FURNITURE s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 3, 1956 3/ 2/4 FIG. 4 37 INVENTOR. /4 ANDREW P. BARKULES ATTORNEYS March 25, 1958 A. P. BARKULES KNOCK-DOWN FURNITURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1956 INVENTOR. AN DREW P. BARKULES ATTORNEYS March 25, 1 958 A. P. BARKULES KNOCK-DOWN FURNITURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 3, 1956 FIG. I0

' INVENTOR. ANDREW P. BARKULES BY hfl'Lba 10 mm FIG. I2 1 FIG. l3

ATTORN EYS United States Patent KNOCK-DOWN FURNITURE Andrew P. Barkules, Libertyville, Ill., assignor vto Ada Metal Products, Inc., a corporation of Illinois Application May 3, 1956, Serial No. 582,472 Claims. Cl. 311-110) a This invention relates to furniture and, more particularly, to furniture of the type having a body member or platform area such as a table top, chair seat, or the like, supported by legs.

his a primary object of my invention to enable a piece of furniture of the aforementioned general type to be constructed in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel furniture embodying a body member and supporting legs wherein the body member and legs are constructed and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object is to provide novel furniture of the aforementioned type wherein legs may be removably mounted thereon in a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide novel furniture of the aforementioned type which is so constructed that it may be shipped ina relatively fiat, compact, disassembled condition and may be quickly and easily. assembled by the recipient in a novel and expeditious manner.

A further object of my invention is to enable supporta ing legs tobe mounted on the body member of a table,

chair, stool, or the like in a novel and expeditious manner, without using screws, bolts, or such fastening devices.

Another object of my invention is to afford furniture of the aforementioned type wherein resilient supporting legs may be mounted in and removed from supporting engagement with the body member thereof in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel furniture wherein a body member and substantially hairpinshaped or V-shaped legs may be constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object of my invention is to enable a novel table, or the like, embodying wheels for transporting it from one location to another to be constructed in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide novel furniture of the aforementioned type wherein the body member thereof may be constructed in a novel and expeditious manner.

. Another object of my invention is to enable the body member of such novel furniture to embody telescoping parts constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

' furniture'of the aforementioned type wherein parts of the body member thereof may be held together .by legs of the furniture in a novel and expeditious manner.

Other and further objects of the present invention Will be apparent from the following description and claims.

and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which,

by way of illustratiorndshow a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from; the -present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of'a table embodying the principles of my invention, with a television receiving set shown in broken lines in normal supported position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a-sideelevational view of the table shown in Fig. 1; l v

Fig. 3' is a rear elevational view of the tablesliown in Fig. 1; v v

Fig. 4 is a top-plan view of the table shown in Fig. l;

' Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the table shown in Fig. 1; v t

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the table shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 7--7 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the portion of the table shown in Fig. 6 with a wheel mounted in operative position thereon;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the parts of the table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a table illustrating a modified form ofmy invention, with the table top thereof removed;

Fig. 11 is a detail side elevatiton view'of the table shown in Fig. 10 with the table top shown in place;

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 in'Fig. 10;

Fig. 13'is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 1313 in Fig. 10; and

Fig. 14 is an exploded ,detail perspective View of parts of the table shown in'Fig. l0. o i

For the purposes of illustrating my invention, a carttype table 10, embodying the principles of my invention, and which is particularly well adapted for supporting a television receiving set such as indicated at T, is shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings.

The table 10 embodies, in general, a body member or platform area 12 supported by four legs 14, 15, 16, and 17, with a combination backrest and handle member 19 mounted on and projecting upwardly from the body member 12, Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

The body member 12v shown in the drawings is substantially square in shape and preferably comprises a substantially square open frame member 21 made of suitable material such as, for example, wrought iron or strap steel, and has four sides 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d, with the side 21a hereinafter referred to as the front side, and the side 21c hereinafter referred to as the rear side. The frame member 21 may be made-of a single, rectangular-shaped piece of wrought iron, or the like, formed into the aforementioned square shape, and with the ends of the piece of wrought iron disposed in abutting engagement and secured together by suitable means such as welding, as indicated at 23 on the drawings,sFig. 4.

Four substantially straight tubular members or sleeves 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d made of suitable material such as, for example, steel, are mounted on the inner faces of the sides 21a21d, respectively, of the frame 21 in parallel relation thereto, and are secured thereto by suitable means such as welding. The sleeves 25a-25d are centrally disposed on the sides 21a-21d of the frame 21 and the ends thereof terminate in inwardly spaced relation to the adjacent ends of the respective sides 21a-21d.

. Each. olithe -legs=-1417 is substantiall-y hainpin shaped or V-shaped and embodies two elongated, substantially straight shanks 27 and 28 diverging outwardly away from each other, in an upward direction, form a common apex or end portion 29,:hereinafter referred to 'as' the lower has an upper end-portion- 27a and 28a, respectively, pro

jecting substantially perpendicular thereto. .The -shanks.

. 27 and 28 are preferably disposed in acommon-plane,

' .and the upper end portions l'la-and 28a project-from the shanks 27 and 28 on the same side of the common plane at approximately a ninety degree angle to each other and atapproximately a forty-fivedegree anglel-to the plane.

.The sleeves 25a-25d are preferably equally I spaced from each other around the frame 21, and the. shanks 27 and 28 of the legs 14-'17-'diverge-from each other to such an extent that the upper end portionsthereof are disposed a :greater distance from each other than are the adjacent portions of the sleeves 25a-25d when" the shanks 27 and 28 are in. fully diverging position. a

Theupperend portions 27a and 28a of the legs 14-177 may be mounted in the adjacent ends of the pairs of sleeves 25d and 25a, 25a and25b, 25b and25c,.and 25c and 25d, respectively, by manually pressing the upper endportionsotthe. shanks 27 and 28 together to an extent wherein the free ends ofthe-upper end portions 27a and 28a; thereof :aredisposedcloser-together than the .respectiveiparts ofisleeve ends inserting the end portions 27a and 28a in the respective pairs of sleeve ends and thenreleasin'g. the shanks" 27 and 28 to thereby permit the end portions 27a and 28a to be yieldinglymoved fully 11 intothe, adjacent ends of the sleeves 25a"-25a'.

. .;The sleeves :25a-25d are so" mounted on the sides 21a-21d of the frame 21, and the sides Z lu-141d of the 1 :frame:.21nareof such width-thatwhen the legs- 14 17 are 50" disposed in the sleeves 25a-25d, they project downz-iwardly and outwardly therefrom, Figs; 1, 2'and 4, and rest against the loweredges of the adjacentsides-21a--21d.

ItiWllll be :seen that, with such construction, the legs 14-17 afford a strongsupport for the body member 12,

and thatvthe application of aload to the table, when the latter is in normal supporting position, makes the sup- .porting connection ofnthe legs 14-17 to the body mem- 31 projects outwardly past each of the legs 16a'nd 17, and wheels33. and'341are ,rotatably mountedon theouter end portions of the axle31 and are secured thereto-by --=-,:suitable meanssuch as nuts 35. Two. sleeves 37.and 38, Figs. '1 and 4, are mounted on "the-:outenface of :the rear wall- 210' of--the frrarne 21 in ,ispaced parallelirelation to each other. The-combination backrestrandhandlemember 19, which has two-subirstantially: parallel upstanding side legs 19a and 19b connectedltogether at their upper end portions-by across bar or. intermediate leg- 19c, is. adjustably mounted inthe I sleeves 37 .and- 38.1 The leg 19a is slidably=mounted in the sleeve 3.7,"and the leg 19b is slidably mounted in the rsleeve 38.. Two thumb-nuts 37a' and 38a--are mounted :1: indie sleeves 37 and 38 for clampingly holding tlie'legs 19a and 19b in' adjusted position in the sleeves 37 and 38. It will be seen that with :this construction; the novel 3 table. 10 may: be shipped in disassemb'led condition in a r relatively fiat, tcompact container! When it isdesired to assemble the-table 10, the legs 14--1'7 may be "readily insertedsinto proper position in:thesleeves--25a#25d byflex- .s: .1,ing.ithe uppervenct pfortionsi27'a-and 28a of the leggs l t-fl "'inwardly toward:eacluotheri and inserting them intothe spective pairs of sleeveaends as'previously -"discussed. he; tl'lllmb'iil'llltsi Marand 38:11 m'aytheir be moved -'int0 retracted position in-the sleeves 37 and 38, and-the --legs 19a and 19b of the handle 19 inserted into the desired position in the sleeves 37 and 38. The respective nuts 37a and 38a may then be screwed into clamping position relative to the legs 19a and 19b. It will be seen that, with the table so constructed, it afiords an efiective and practical table for supporting articles, such as the television set T; or the like, and that, if. desired, the table T may readily bemoved from one position to another 10- by grasping -the-handle 19,- tilting. the table 10 rearwardly on the wheels 33 and 34-to-a position wherein the legs 14 and lime moved out of engagement with. the floor, or the like, and rolling the table. 10 to the new desired position on the wheels 33 -and-34.

Also, it will be seen that my novel table 10'may be quickly and easily disassembled, if it is desired to do so, by merely loosening the thumb-screws 37a and 38g and slipping the backrest 19- upwardly out of r the" collars 37 and ss; andmanually squeezing the upper end portions of--the-shanks '27-and28 of the legs 14-47 together to thus release them from the sleeves a-25d.

ii -It will be seen that, if desired-,-the wheels-33 and 34,

i and: the axle 31 may be eliminated, and that the legs: 16 and17'may be-made. the same length as the legs 14 and 25 15, Without departing fromthe purviewot my invention. 1- :Also itiwill'beseen that, although.the-body-member l:i..12 0'f the table T is shown as-an open frame 21; this is merely by way of illustration and not byway of-lirnita- .zl tion and-that, if desired, the body member 21 may be lconstructed so as to' be closed at the top by a-suitable =:ii.plattorn'1,.such as, for example, a table top, chairseat, 4* stooliseat, or the like-without departing from the. pur- NlCW of my invention. a In the; modifiedform of my invention shown in Figs. 3511010 14', inclusive, aftable'5l is shown which embodies, 1in; general, a body member or platform-area 53 mounted on four identical legs 55, Figs. 10 and 11. Thebody member 53 includes a supporting-frame 57 .1; and a table top 59.. The'supporting frame57 shown in 40. the drawings embodies four-identical corner sections 61, :Eigs. wand 14. Each of the corner sections 61 emcbodies a wall member 63 having two legs 63a and 63b. tThewall members 63 may bemade of any suitable mate- ;;:;rial such as, for example, strap-steel, and the legsare preferably disposed in perpendicular relationto each-other to thereby form a substantially L-shaped wall member. Twoustraight elongated sleeve members 65a and 65b *areurnbunted on each of the wall members 63.' ';'The :sleeve mernbers'65a and65bmay be made of any suitable 5O material suchas, 'forexample, tubular. steel and'are'secure'd-to-the inner-faces of the legs 63a and 63b, respectively, of--thewall members63 by suitable mean ssuch as, for example,- welding. The sleeves 65a and 65b-are disposed in parallel relation to-the legs 63aand 63b; respectively; "and are so positioned thereon that the upper peripheral surfaces of the -sleeves 65a;and I 65b are disposed in thesame'plane as the upper edges" of the "legs 63a and 63b, Figs. 13 and 14. The sleeves 65a and 65b t -are preferably disposed on -the legs-63a and 63b in such position= that one endof-eachsleeve a and 65b'termi natesaflush withthe free-ends of-the'leg's 63a and63b, respectively, and the other BDdS 'Of the sleeves 65a and 2165b terminate in: spaced relation tothe junction between --;:.-.the;legs-63'a and 63b. 7 65 :Eachofipthe corner sections 6-l -has:a'mountingbracket 67 mounted in the corner defined by the junction of the legs 63a and 63b,; Themounting bracket 67 may be made 1. of-any suitable material. such as, for: example; sheet steel and is preferably.- oflsuch size-that itfits snuglyintosthe 70' corner. formed, by the legs 63a .-and 63b. x.The. ;-mo unting brackejffi'l, is' ,disposedin-v the corner. section. 61 in, position wherein the .l ppfi r -face-thereofisdisposed .in,;the same 'fplane. as the. upper edges "of thelegs. .63a. andi.63b.. It preferably is ofthe' samefthickness as thegthickpess ol TStheWalls ofthe sleeves 65a and' 65bso that it is disposed above the axially extending opening in the adjacent sleeves 65a and 65b. Each of the brackets 67 has an opening 67a extending vertically therethrough in inwardly spaced relation to the legs 63a and 63b of the corner section 61 within which the bracket 67 is mounted.

The frame 57 also embodies four substantially straight elongated rods 69 made of. suitable material such as, for example, cold-rolled steel, Figs. and 14. Each of the rods 69 is of such cross sectional size that it will fit snugly within the longitudinal opening in any one of the sleeves 65a or 65b but be freely slidably longitudinally therein.

Four other mounting brackets 71 are embodied in the 7 frame 57. Each of the brackets 71 is preferably made of a substantially flat piece of suitable sheet material such as, for example, sheet steel and is attached to the outer periphery of the longitudinal center portion of a respective one of the rods 69 by suitable means such as welding.

In my novel table 51, shown in the drawings, the corner sections 61 afford the four corner portions of the frame 57, which is substantially square in shape. The legs 63a and 63b of each of the corner sections 61 are disjacent corner sections 61, respectively. The mounting brackets 71 on the rods 69 are disposed on the upper surface thereof and project outwardly between the adjacent legs 63a and 63b. Each of the mounting brackets 71 has a vertically extending opening 71a formed therein,

and-the brackets 71 are preferably so disposed on the rod 69, and are of such length that the openings 71a are disposed outwardly of the adjacent legs 63a and 63b.

The brackets 71 are preferably the same thickness as the walls of the sleeves 65a and 65b so that the upper surfaces thereof are'disposed in the same plane as the upper edges of the legs 63a and 63b of the adjacent corner sections 61.

In assembling the frame 57, any three of the corner! sections 61 such as, for example, the two left corner sections and the upper right corner section, shown in Fig. 10, may first be assembled by inserting two rods 69 in 6 and 55b are of a suitable cross sectional sizeto fit snugly within the longitudinal openings in any of the sleeves 65a or 65b with a' freely slidable fit. The upper end portions- 55d and'55e of each of the legs 55 are of such length that eachleg 55 may be attached to any one of the corner sections ,61 by manually moving the shanks 55a and 55b toward each other, disposing the upper end portions 55d and 55e in axial alignment with the longitudinal opening in the sleeves 65a and 65b, respectively, of that corner section 61, and then permitting the shanks 55a and 55b to spring outwardly away from each other to thereby insert the upper end portions 55d and 55e of that leg in the end portion of the longitudinal opening of the sleeves 65a and 65b adjacent to the corner formed by the junction of the legs 63aand 63b of that corner section.

It will be noted that the mounting bracket 67 in each of the corner sections 61 is disposed above the position of the upper end portions 55d and 55e of the leg 55 during such insertion of the leg 55 into operative position in the corner, section 61 so that the shanks 55a -and 55b are free to be compressed toward each other without interference by the mounting brackets 67.

Whenthe legs 55 are disposed in the corner sections 61 in position to support the frame 57, the upper end portions 55d and 55e are disposed in the adjacent end portions of the sleeves 65a and 65b, respectively, and the shanks 55a and 55b project outwardly and downwardly therefrom into abutting engagement with the lower edges of the legs 63a and 63b of the respective corner sections. It will be seen that with this construction, the

frame 57 is firmly supported by the legs 55.

After the frame 57 has been so mounted on the legs 55, the table top 59 may be mounted on the frame 57 and secured thereto by suitable fastening members such as screws 73, Fig. 11, extending through the openings 67a in the mounting bracket 67 and the openings 71a in the mounting brackets 71. When the holes 71a are 7 disposed outwardly of the legs 63a and 6312, as I prefer proper position in the sleeves 65a and 65b of one of the corner sections and then moving the other two corner sections 61 into proper position on the outwardly projecting ends of the rods 69. Thereafter, the other two rods 69 may be disposed in proper position in the two sleeves 65a and 65b disposed at the free ends of that portion of the frame 57 which has thus been assembled. Those free ends of the thus assembled portion of the frame 57 may then be manually sprung outwardly away from each'other, and the legs 63a and. 63b of the remaining corner section 61 may be manually sprung inwardly toward each other into such position that the free ends of the last mentioned two rods 69 may be inserted into the free end portions of the sleeves 65a and 65b on the aforementioned remaining corner sections 61, and that corner section 61 may then be slid along those rods into position to complete the assembly of the frame 57.

Each of the legs 55, like the legs 14-17, shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, is substantially hair-pin shaped or V-shaped and embodies two elongated substantially straight shanks 55a and 55b diverging outwardly away from each other, in an upward direction, from a common apex or end portion 55c at the lower end thereof. Each of the shanks 55a and 5512 has an upper end portion 55d and 55e, respectively, projecting substantially perpendicular thereto. The shanks 55a and 55b are preferably disposed in a common plane, and the upper end portions 55d and 552 project from the shanks 55a and 55b on the same side of the common plane at approximately a ninety degree angle to each other and at approximately a forty-five degree angle to the plane.

The upper end portions 55d and 55e of the shanks 55a to construct my novel table 51, the table top 59 may be of such a size that it projects outwardly beyond the frame 57 a sufficient distance that the fastening members 73 in the brackets 71 may be secured thereto. However, it'will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, if

desired, the mounting brackets 71 may also projectinwardly from the rods 69, and'the openings 71a may be disposed in such inwardly projecting portion of the mounting bracket 71, and with such construction the table top 59 need not project beyond the lateral edges of the frame 57.

It will be seen that although a table 51 is shown in the drawings, and the member 59 is shown as a table top, this is merely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that my novel invention applies equally well to construction of other articles of furniture, such as,-for example, chairs, stools, and the like, and that the member 59 may comprise a chair seat, stool seat, or the like, without departing from the purview of my inven tron.

Also, it will be appreciated that, although I have shown a square-shaped frame 57, this is merely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that furniture embodying frames of other shapes such as, for example, rectangular or triangular may be constructed without departing from the purview of my invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention enables novel furniture to be constructed in a novel, prac tical, and expeditious manner.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

l-claim: V j

1..In an article of furniturethe. combination of a frame ;,having a plurality-ofxorner sections, each of saidsec- ...tions comprisingtwo elongated members joined together at one end, sleeves mounted on each of said. members, reach of saidsleeves being mounted on one of said mem- ,.bers. in spaced relation to the other member. in that sec- ..tion, a plurality: of legs mounted in said sleeves and projecting downwardly, therefromin positionrto support .said sections, and a plurality of rods connecting said sections together, each of said rods. beingremovably mount- ...ed intwo of said sleeves on adjacent ones of said sec- .tions.

2. An. article. of furniture comprising a body member havinga plurality. of corner sections, each of said sec- -.tionszhaving two elongated legs joined together at one end, .elongated sleeves mounted on eachiofsaid legs and ii extending longitudinally thereof, each ofisaidv sleeves '7 being mounted on a respective one of said legs. in'spaced ,relation tothe other ofisaid legs in:that section, the

same number of. elongated rods as there aresections, each of. said rods being slidably mounted intwosleeves in ad- 1 .jacent ones of said sections to hold said last, mentioned sections-together, and aplurality of supporting legs each ofsaid supporting legs. being pivotallyrmounted'in the .two said sleeves, in arespective one of said-sections, at

, Q the opposite ends of said sleeves from said rods, and being .,disposed in abutting engagement. with saida respective corner. section. r

3. An article of furniture comprising a, .boc ly;n'1e rnber including a supporting frame and a supporting platform mounted ort said frame, said frame having a pluralityof separablecorner. sections, each of saidv corner sections comprising two elongated legs joined togetheratoneend, two elongated sleeves mounted on saidlegsfjn substantially parallel relation thereto, each of. said two sleeves ,being mounted on a respective one ofsaidlegsand termimating in spacedrelation to the,,other ofqsaid legs in .that' section,.and a mounting bracket mounted on; said legs at said junction thereof, a plurality of elongated .rods, eachof saidrodshaving oneend portionslidably dis- 1 posed ina-sleeve in: one of'said sections and, the-iother endportiongdisposed in a sleeve in another; ofv said; Seetions, n1ounting brackets mounted .on. the central portions I of said rods and projecting outwardly; therefrorn'between Qadjaceht ends of. said. legs in. adjacent ones ofnsaid sections and infabutting engagement therewith,; means: ex-

tending through said first mentioned mounting brackets and said last mentioned mounting; brackets; into holding .engagementwith said platform, and means-forasupporting said body, member, said last named means comprising a ,j .plurality oi'substantiall v-\l-shapedlegs each' of=,said V- shaped legshavingotT-set upper end portions removably j disposed injtheend portions of said-sleeves-disposed ad-,

jacent to the, junction of said first mentioned-legs in a respective ,one of said corner sections, saidV-shaped legs 1 projecting. v downwardly and outwardly from said. sleeves 7 and b'eing .disposed in pnderlying abutting. engagement with said first mentioned legs insaid respectivecorner 5 sections. ,7

. 4. Furniture. construction comprising'a bodymember comprising'a. plurality of separable sections, each ofsaid sections beingdisposed adjacent to two other, of said sections,..a pluralityfof pairs of sockets spaced-around said 10' body memberi and carried. thereby,'each of said pairs of sockets being mounted on a respective one of said sec- .tions,,elongated,rod members-mounted in said sockets on leach of, said sections and extending into sockets on .said .adjacentLsections. in-supporting relationthereto, and a 15 pluralityo f r. legs,teach of said legs having a lower end portiomatwogoutwardly diverging; upper end portions, .said. .upper end portions of each ofs aid legs being releasablymounted ina respectivepair of; said sockets, and .means, :including said lower end portions, yieldinglyurg- 20. irig saiduppe r, end portions into said sockets.

H L5, An,article of turniture-V comprising a supporting Hmember comprising a plurality of; separablesections, a plurality of pairsof sockets ,mounted on said supporting 1 member each: frsaid pairs of sockets being mounted on .a..resp e ctive one of said sections, said sockets ineach of said pairs :being disposed in position toface, generally toward each Oiher means slidably mounted in adjacent zones, oftfsaid =pal1S-'Qf-S OCkelIS"l O' hold saidsections to- I gether p plurality -oji legs, each, of 'said legs having re- 0- silienttshanks divergingputwardly'away frorrreach other 5 in arnupward directionand; joined together at, the lower tendbportions thereof, and elongated-members, carried -by .theupper end portions of; said shanksin, position to I engagein said sockets in a respective oner-ofisaid pairs to 35. thereby conect said ,leg to-,sai d supporting member; in 71 position to. suppo rt the latter, andqabutment means ,disosedin ositionsonsaid supp r ing memberv to,.,eng said legs in position to restrain rotation of :the. latter gwhen :said legs are -disposed in ;said position in said E sockets. r

,ReferencesQited in the iileof this patent UNITED STATES v PATENTS 

